Seldom would have mankind imagined that in this fast-paced, technologically advanced world, a minute invisible thing like a virus could absolutely stop life to a Point Blank. With the advent of the phased Unlock being introduced, slowly things are heading towards a New Normal state, but after such a stringent lockdown many of us have been at the receiving end of varied emotional setbacks as the sudden and drastic alteration in the daily routine has affected everyone’s mental health irrespective of the age, profession or gender. According to Arouba Kabir, Mental Health Therapist and Founder of Enso Wellness considering life in a corporate setup, the disease has brought about multi-dimensional effects. Financial instability, Job insecurities, Pay cuts, layoffs and whatnot.
The financial instability due to pay cuts, the toll that the work from home approach took on the employee’s health and lifestyle as well as the looming fear of going out of business or losing their job is just the tip of the iceberg and has acted as a trigger to unnerve various dilemmas an individual was already facing. India within a week of commencement of the nationwide lockdown, showed a 20% increase in the number of reported cases of mental illness, as reported in a research by the Indian Psychiatry Society. Counsellors and Psychiatrists have also confirmed a 35% to 40% increase in cases of stress and panic attacks in April versus previous months. Researchers say that the continuous flow of news notifications, emails, virtual meetings, and social media updates – coupled with mandates to work from home and stay inside – are taking a toll on a person’s overall wellbeing. Research has shown that the impact of stress, anxiety and mental illness on productivity could amount to $16.3 trillion in economic losses by 2030.
How lockdown has impacted our mental health?
Mental health issues have always been stigmatized in our society. Anxiety, depressive symptoms, symptoms of internet addiction, pornography addiction, experiences of hostility, overthinking, changes in food and sleep habits, social empathy and relationship quality are mist of the cases therapists are receiving these days. We have forgotten the aspects of holistic health. Some of us during this lockdown are wrestling with familial conflict while others are stressing over how coronavirus disruptions have affected their careers, businesses, academic performance or daily wages.
Why digital wellness is important?
Due to this transition, Digital Wellness is becoming an increasingly important part of an organization’s responsibility towards its employees around the globe. With the introduction of new styles of working, businesses around the globe are placing higher bets on balanced businesses where they can meet client’s needs as well as provide a reassuring atmosphere for employees to inculcate feelings of being safe and healthy- emotionally & physically while fulfilling their work.
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How to keep up the productivity?
We need the followings to keep the emotional resilience and productivity going on:
Digital wellness programs
These testing times have necessitated that companies focus on employees’ Digital Wellness, enhance their emotional resilience as well as provide a conducive environment during a crisis period. Instilling all this will ensure that workers are in a better condition to bounce back faster when organizations return to some degree of normalcy. Workplace wellness is very important.
Introducing more Work-friendly home atmosphere and Mental Health workshops and on-board counseling services
Employers can play a major role in this transition by helping the employees set up a proper workspace as working from the bed or couch leads to sprains and pains which eventually decreases productivity. A designated, organized and clean desk space maintains the work mode as well as makes one more efficient thus enhancing time management by lowering possible distractions.
Also Read: Why Corporate Wellness Programs Are Important
We all understand that being at home the working hours have got severely affected. The fear of missing out leads one to constantly keep checking their phones, emails etc., this has led to increased cases of insomnia, anxiety, depression and addiction.
Developing and maintaining a routine including breaks and daily work allotment is the basic plan, employers can elevate it by adding meditational breaks, indulging in a small informal talk. Everyone likes to be asked how things are, once in a while.
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Increased psychological impact on people
Various studies being conducted have indicated that this sudden loss of employment, along with financial stress or even distress, has enhanced the psychological impact on the working community, shown by symptoms of increased aggressiveness and post-traumatic stress. This situation could also revive memories of old traumas in some people. Post-traumatic Stress disorders refer to an altered sense of psychological being which brings about changes in an individual’s response mechanism to situations.
Being part of motivational talks, yoga, meditation, expressive arts like art therapy & colour therapy amongst various others shall help one to stay focused and healthy-emotionally and physically.
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